viewing inside cavity wall

[maggie73]

We live in a circa 1860's whin stone end terrace, ground floor built right into a hill. Renovated in 60's by council, when an internal brick cavity wall was added downstairs on walls under ground level (apart from party wall which is also suffering damp but no idea what to do about that). Suffering damp on gable and back walls that are under ground level, up to about 2 feet, though only along about half the length of the back wall. Want to get a look in cavity wall to see if there is debris bridging outside and brick walls: my partner is confident enough about taking out single brick at a time to look, but wonders how to put them back in securely (though I think he is just making excuses not to get on with it....). what is general approach to this? Thanks. ps. I pulled the wallpaper off affected areas as was fed up looking at it "wetting up" under high humidity about 2 years agonow the plaster doesnt feel wet though the wall is obviously affected by salts, especially in fireplace area.

 

[stuart45]

Putting the bricks back is easy enough. You can lay them without any mortar on top, wait till the next day and wedge some slate at the back of the beds and fill in with mortar. If doing it the same day with mortar, lay the bed and butter the sides and top of the hole, and butter the ends and top of the brick and push it home. Then push the mortar in with a jointer.
If the wall was built on top of the concrete floor there isn't anywhere for penetrating moisture to drain away to.

 

[MdB]

I believe that looking into cavities is a common issue and that there are many companies available that will drill a small hole and put a camera in. I guess this would be far less of a disruption compared to brick removal.

 

[stuart45]

I believe that looking into cavities is a common issue and that there are many companies available that will drill a small hole and put a camera in. I guess this would be far less of a disruption compared to brick removal.

There are, most CWI firms do a free survey if they think they can sell you a cavity fill.

 

[maggie73]

Thanks very much. Not sure if there is concrete between the cavity and stone walls on the ground - I know there is concrete below the suspended wooden floor but don't know if it extends beyond the cavity wall. I suppose if any moisture is collecting in there I will have to look at ways to let this drain away. Will look into companies who can drill to have a look, or maybe do that ourselves! Can't really be bothered with some "free survey" and related sales talk/doom & gloom about the state of my house!

 

[AMc]

You can buy inspection cameras, the cheap ones are probably OK to satisfy your curiosity e.g. this one which will cost you £27.52 inc delivery and vat.
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=TL1458097
Looks like it would be a 2 person job to manipulate the camera and work the laptop. A suspiciously similar one is £70 at Maplin.
I doubt the video quality is up to much but you're only trying to see what's going on in there.
You'd only need to drill a few holes through the mortar which could easily be filled.

For a bit more you can buy cameras with built in screens and the ability to record the video so you can puzzle over it later.
Check eBay for a variety of options http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=inspection+camera&_sacat=0